From the heartwarming tale of “Horimiya” to the comical yet affectionate “My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999,” these anime bring together two seemingly opposite individuals.

In this article, we'll delve into stories that beautifully portray the blossoming love between a popular girl and a nerdy guy. So, without further ado, let's get started.

10. Hajimete no Gal

Hajimete no Gal is a high school rom-com harem anime about a hopeless virgin on her journey to adulthood. The series centers on Junichi Hashiba, who forces himself into a relationship with Yukana Yame.

As Junichi begins to overcome his lack of self-confidence while suppressing his sexual urges, he is thrust into a new school life filled with lively girls and unpredictable chaos! My First Girlfriend is a Gal is an anime that explores ecchi with bits of comedy thrown in.

9. Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches

Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches is a lighthearted and humorous anime with a hint of romance. The story follows Ryu Yamada, a delinquent student who is bored with his life until the day he encounters Urara Shiraishi, the school's top student.

The duo discovers they can switch bodies with a kiss and decides to use this new ability to help others. Together, they embark on a journey to unearth the legend of the "Seven Witches of Suzaku High," who gained different powers activated by a kiss.

8. 3D Kanojo: Real Girl

3D Kanojo Real Girl showcases the wholesome and pure elements of the school romance trope, featuring a popular girl falling in love with an otaku. The series tells the story of high school student Hikari Tsutsui, who is socially awkward and has trouble making friends.

After being forced to clean the pool as punishment for being late, Tsutsui meets Iroha Igarashi. The story follows an unlikely romance between these two outcasts as they attempt to awaken their hidden feelings.

7. My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU

Oregairu, also known as "My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU," offers a cynical take on teenage love. Defying the tropes of traditional school romance anime, the series revolves around 16-year-old Hachiman Hikigaya, who has a bleak outlook on life and believes that teenage romance is a sham.

However, his pessimistic life takes a turn when Hachiman is assigned to join the Volunteer Service Club—a place that forces him to interact with other students. As the story unfolds, the series explores various social situations teenagers face and the psychology that drives their interactions.

6. Haruka Nogizaka's Secret

Haruka Nogizaka's Secret is a well-known anime with a dedicated fan base. The series explores otaku culture through the eyes of the titular character, the most popular and incomparable beauty queen at the prestigious Hakujo Academy.

One day, she is caught in the library by the shy Yuuto Ayase, who discovers her well-kept secret of being an otaku. However, the two reach a mutual understanding, with Yuuto promising to keep Haruka's secret, sparking an unexpected friendship between them.

5. Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru

Coming from the prominent studio Madhouse, Yamada-kun to Lv999 no Koi wo Suru is a modern shojo anime that follows college student Akane Kinoshita, who breaks up with her longtime boyfriend after discovering he's been cheating on her.

Akane is heartbroken, but she decides to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend through a personal gaming event. In the process, she meets Akito Yamada, a gaming legend who is initially cold and indifferent to Akane, but they soon fall in love.

4. Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san

Ijiranaide, Nagatoro-san offers a rom-com story highlighting bullying and sadomasochism. The anime centers on the antics of Nagatoro, a first-year student whose mission is to constantly tease the shy and nerdy senior Naoto.

At first, Nagatoro's antics are more annoying than anything and make Naoto feel embarrassed, however, as they spend more time together, a strange sort of friendship develops between them, leading to an unnecessary romantic angle.

3. Horimiya

Horimiya sparked the school romance genre with its 2021 anime debut. Praised for its realistic depiction of teenage love, the series tells the story of two high school students, Kyoko Hori and Izumi Miyamura, who lead double lives that are different from their public personas.

While Hori is a popular and outgoing student, Miyamaru is seen as a quiet and reserved student. However, their paths cross one day, leading to the discovery of their hidden sides. As they spend more time together, a budding romance begins to develop between them.

2. My Dress-up Darling

One of the popular girl's biggest hits fell prey to the unpopular main character trope. My Dress-up Darling is a romantic comedy anime from CloverWorks that delves into cosplay culture. The story follows Wakana Gojo, a high school boy who makes traditional Japanese Hina dolls and dreams of becoming a master craftsman.

One day, he meets Marin Kitagawa, a popular girl who is also a secret cosplay enthusiast. Marin is impressed by Wakana's sewing skills and asks him to help her make her cosplay costumes. As they work together, they can't help but grow closer—even though their lives are worlds apart.

1. Bunny Girl Senpai

The high school rom-com series, Bunny Girl Senpai, is a psychological drama that deals with themes of adolescence, mental health, and relationships. The story follows Sakuta Azusagawa, who accidentally bumps into his famous classmate, Mai Sakurajima.

After discovering that Mai has a condition called "puberty syndrome" that causes her to disappear from other people's sight, Sakuta decides to help Mai find a way to overcome her syndrome so she can become an actress again.

Which of the following animes where a popular girl falls in love with a nerd is your favorite? Feel free to comment with your thoughts and be sure to recommend any other anime, and don't forget to share this article with your otaku friends.

We post anime and manga news articles daily, so be sure to follow us on InstagramYou can also check out our anime rankings page for more articles like this.